Merrilee Boyack is the Director of Development for Latter-day Saints for Life and Chair of the Abortion-Free Utah Coalition
It happens in wards and branches all over the world. A member will begin to talk about some doctrine in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, and a fellow member will shut them down with “Oh, that’s political. We can’t talk about it!”
Each time I hear that, I say, “Well! Hasn’t Satan been effective?! All he had to do was attach the word “political” to that doctrine, and he has effectively silenced the members of Christ’s church!”
In our work with Latter-day Saints for Life, a worldwide organization for Latter-day Saints who support the doctrine of the sanctity of life, we have heard from members who have had these experiences of being told to be quiet across the entire United States and in countries around the world. This seems to be a global issue that affects members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – and often members of other faiths as well.
Want to discuss the sanctity of life? Nope, that’s political.
Want to discuss the doctrine that gender is an essential characteristic of premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose? Not allowed, that’s political.
Want to discuss the doctrine of marriage as ordained of God between a man and a woman? Can’t do that, way too political to talk about.
Even, want to discuss the roles of fathers and mothers? No way, that is a touchy subject.
Tragically, I think Satan takes great delight in silencing the Saints of God with a giant “mute” button. The Saints shy away from anything that might have political overtones, might upset others, might cause negative reactions, or might just be a difficult subject to talk about. Sometimes local leaders also shut down conversations and activities based on such concerns. One leader expressed, “Oh, we can’t talk about the Proclamation. If we do, people get upset and leave the Church!”
Recently, when we were studying the Book of Mormon account of Captain Moroni, I posted on social media that in today’s world, Captain Moroni would have been told to sit down and be quiet because good Church members shouldn’t discuss political things. It was humorous but also, sadly, probably true.
Let’s explore this tag of “political.” As the Church clarified recently, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reiterates its well-established institutional neutrality regarding political parties and candidates. It “does not endorse, promote or oppose political parties and their platforms or candidates for political office.”” 1 So, this stance could best be understood as the Church is not partisan – it doesn’t take sides with political parties or endorse specific candidates. And that is important and appropriate both for the nonprofit tax status of the Church as well as good policy for its members’ interactions.
But this does not mean that the Church will never weigh in when political matters intersect with doctrine. This was clear in the Official Statement issued October 8, 2024, when the Church went on to clarify, “With respect to several current U.S. state ballot initiatives relative to abortion and sanctity for life, the Church affirms that its position on abortion remains unchanged.”2
The sanctity of life is a key doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Church had no hesitation in reiterating its opposition to elective abortion–despite the fact that this issue is also a hot-button political issue.
But somehow, members and local leaders have confused nonpartisanship with this belief that they must avoid talking about any doctrine that may have political impact. This is false.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are constantly encouraged to stand for truth. President Nelson stated unequivocally, “Know the truth and stand for it, even if the truth is not politically popular.”3
President Oaks counselled, “We should also hold to truth, even in our outreach to others. Loving those with different views and avoiding contention are both examples of civility. And they do not mean we should refrain from participating in discussions, debates, and even taking positions against what we believe to be wrong or inadvisable.” He continues, “Showing respect does not mean we walk away from our beliefs and fundamental doctrine on the family and its importance to God’s plan for the eternal destiny of his children as revealed in the family proclamation.”4
And yet, we often experience members of our own faith who walk away from discussions of key doctrines even among fellow members because of fear of treading into areas that may have political overtones. There is nothing in Church policy or doctrine that requires this silence. In fact, the opposite is true. The Savior Himself clearly taught and discussed doctrines and principles in His day such as Sabbath day observance, the greatest laws to love God and our neighbor, and the glaring need for the Pharisees to repent despite the fact that these discussions triggered significant political and social reactions. He fearlessly spoke truth and doctrine.
In our world today, many of our important doctrines are being challenged. It is critical that we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talk about these doctrines among our fellow saints and within our families. We must speak clearly and unapologetically about the doctrine of marriage. We must discuss among our fellow saints and within our families the Church’s teaching, “We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.” We need to talk openly about the importance of gender and its eternal nature. We need to discuss the roles of fathers and mothers and the Plan of Salvation and many more truths and doctrines that the world does not understand.
If God cannot count on His Saints to discuss these and other important doctrines, who can He count on? If we don’t talk about these doctrines, we create a vacuum. Satan is working diligently to fill that vacuum with his lies and deception through social media, peer influence, mass media, schools, and more.
Recently, an associate shared his experience. When Roe v. Wade was overturned, he and his wife were shocked to realize that their young adult daughter was posting on social media about how she was upset that abortion would not be protected on a federal level. He related, “We realized we had failed as parents. We had not taught her the doctrine! But she was being indoctrinated by the world. We sat with her immediately to teach her the doctrine clearly.”
Too often, men and women in the Church stay silent on many key doctrines out of fear. They have been confused into thinking that they have to stay quiet if there are any political connections whatsoever. They aren’t having these conversations in their homes; they aren’t having these conversations with fellow members; and they are staying quiet in their communities. Heavenly Father must be grieved.
Discussing these doctrines does not have to be contentious. Indeed, talking about them among fellow members should be aligned with our beliefs. Teaching our children the doctrines relative to the Plan of Salvation is essential. As I stated in the Liahona earlier this year, “One critical thing we can do to help our children withstand the challenges of the last days is to help them be firmly grounded in the truths clearly stated in the proclamation. Having a solid understanding of those principles and a testimony of their truth will help our children hold on to their core beliefs. In a talk titled “Defenders of the Family Proclamation,” Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, former Young Women General President, boldly challenged us: “Everyone … can be defenders of the Lord’s plan described in the family proclamation. If it is the Lord’s plan, it should also be our plan!”5
But many of us are losing opportunities to teach our children and to strengthen fellow members in the doctrine because of this mistaken notion that we cannot talk about anything political. Again, this is not true. These conversations are absolutely necessary.
It is time to speak up and not let Satan silence us any longer. We have the Spirit of God to guide us. We have the doctrines as have been revealed by the prophets and apostles and in the scriptures. It is up to us to start talking about them—with our families, and certainly with each other. We have been given both the gift and the responsibility of pure doctrine. It’s time to use it.
- https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-reiterates-position-political-neutrality-civility-political-discourse-abortion
- https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-reiterates-position-political-neutrality-civility-political-discourse-abortion
- Russell M. Nelson, in Sarah Jane Weaver, “During Rome Italy Temple Youth Devotional, President Nelson Shares 5 Things to Know, 5 Things to Do,” Church News, Mar. 10, 2019
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/ensign-college-devotional-may-17-2022/2022-05-1000-ensign-college-devotional-may-17-2022-eng?lang=eng
Barbara WalkerOctober 28, 2024
If we can remember to speak truth respectfully and back it up with words from Jesus or the prophets, then it is up to the listener to receive it and embrace it or to reject it. I would rather speak truth than to remain silent and have to answer to the Lord at some future point for my cowardice. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
MaryannOctober 26, 2024
Thank you so much. There is a big difference between pitching a certain candidate at church, and withholding the truths in The Proclamation On The Family. We do NOT need to walk on eggshells when we teach the gospel, as taught by our Prophets and Apostles. We do not bury the truth because we are afraid someone may get their feelings hurt. We can state the truth courageously and fearlessly. Fortunately, I haven't heard people make the kinds of statements mentioned in this article about "not being able to talk about" important truths. When we hear these comments, we need to speak up politely and remind others that we don't worship "feelings," like so much of the world does. We proclaim truth.